Restored B-29 Superfortress flies again

After 16 years of hard work and dedication from numerous volunteers from around the Wichita, Kansas, USA, area, this beautiful B-29 Superfortress, which was once used for target practice, has flow again after a 16 year long restoration project

CAPTION: A B-29 Superfortress, known as ‘Doc,’ takes off for the first time in 60 years, in 17 July 2016, at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas. US Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jenna K. Caldwell

Known as ‘Doc’ the B-29 took to skies for its first flight on July 17 – 60 years after its last flight in 1956.

WWII riveter Connie Palacioz, 91, said, “I never thought I would live to see this day, but I did”.

Connie Palacioz was 18 years old when she put the first rivets on ‘Doc’ when it first was manufactured.

Charles Chauncey, a WWII B-29 pilot who flew 35 combat missions, said, the restoration team had done a beautiful job on Doc.

“This is a great day for Wichita and I’m so pleased to have the crew here to fly it.”

Although this is the first time a B-29 has flown out of McConnell, the 22nd Air Refueling Wing can trace its heritage back to the 22nd Bombardment Group, which flew the aircraft during the Korean War.

Jim Murphey, B-29 project manager, said a big thank you to McConnell Air Force Base.

“The Air Force guys came over and helped us lace in the fuel cells – they’ve helped polish the airplane and they have helped and been of assistance to us every step of the way.”

The aircraft sat in the Mojave Desert for decades after being decommissioned and serving as a ballistic target at a Navy weapons range.

An aircraft enthusiast found Doc in 1987 and set about restoring the magnificent flying machine.

For more information about the project, visit www.b-29doc.com..

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